Hydraulic and Control System for Resin Injection

ABSTRACT

A pumpable resin system for installation of mine bolts includes a resin injection cylinder comprising a resin chamber and a resin hydraulic cylinder, a catalyst injection cylinder including a catalyst chamber and a catalyst hydraulic cylinder, with the resin hydraulic cylinder synchronized with the catalyst hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the resin hydraulic cylinder and the catalyst hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic reservoir in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump, and a delivery line in fluid communication with the resin injection cylinder and the catalyst injection cylinder. The delivery line is configured to deliver resin and catalyst from the resin injection cylinder and catalyst injection cylinder into a borehole.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/584,461, filed Nov. 10, 2017, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pumpable two component resin systemand, more particularly, to fittings for pumpable resin systems.

Description of Related Art

The roof of a mine is conventionally supported by tensioning the roofwith steel bolts inserted into boreholes drilled in the mine roof thatreinforce the unsupported rock formation above the mine roof. The mineroof bolt may be anchored mechanically to the rock formation byengagement of an expansion assembly on the distal end of the mine roofbolt with the rock formation. Alternatively, the mine roof bolt may beadhesively bonded to the rock formation with a resin bonding materialinserted into the borehole. A combination of mechanical anchoring andresin bonding may also be employed by using both an expansion assemblyand resin bonding material.

When resin bonding material is utilized, the bonding material penetratesthe surrounding rock formation to adhesively join the rock strata and tofirmly hold the mine roof bolt within the borehole. Resin is typicallyinserted into the mine roof borehole in the form of a two componentplastic cartridge having one component containing a curable resincomposition and another component containing a curing agent (catalyst).The two component resin cartridge is inserted into the blind end of theborehole and the mine roof bolt is inserted into the borehole such thatthe end of the mine roof bolt ruptures the two component resincartridge. Upon rotation of the mine roof bolt about its longitudinalaxis, the compartments within the resin cartridge are shredded and thecomponents are mixed. The resin mixture fills the annular area betweenthe borehole wall and the shaft of the mine roof bolt. The mixed resincures and binds the mine roof bolt to the surrounding rock. The mineroof bolt is typically rotated via a drive head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a pumpable resin system for installation of mine boltsincludes a resin injection cylinder including a resin chamber and aresin hydraulic cylinder, a catalyst injection cylinder including acatalyst chamber and a catalyst hydraulic cylinder, with the resinhydraulic cylinder synchronized with the catalyst hydraulic cylinder, ahydraulic pump in fluid communication with the resin hydraulic cylinderand the catalyst hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic reservoir in fluidcommunication with the hydraulic pump, and a delivery line in fluidcommunication with the resin injection cylinder and the catalystinjection cylinder, with the delivery line configured to deliver resinand catalyst from the resin injection cylinder and catalyst injectioncylinder into a borehole.

The resin hydraulic cylinder and the catalyst hydraulic cylinder may bedouble-acting cylinders, with the resin hydraulic cylinder fluidlyconnected to the catalyst hydraulic cylinder in series such thatmovement of the resin hydraulic cylinder results in correspondingmovement of the catalyst hydraulic cylinder. The resin hydrauliccylinder and the catalyst hydraulic cylinder may be identical in size.The resin chamber may have a larger volume than the catalyst chamber.The system may further include a synchronizing cylinder in fluidcommunication with the resin hydraulic cylinder and the catalysthydraulic cylinder.

The resin hydraulic cylinder, the synchronizing cylinder, and thecatalyst hydraulic cylinder may each include first and second chamberspositioned on opposite sides of a piston, with the first chamber of theresin hydraulic cylinder in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump,the second chamber of the resin hydraulic cylinder in fluidcommunication with the second chamber of the synchronizing cylinder, thefirst chamber of the synchronizing cylinder in fluid communication withthe first chamber of the catalyst hydraulic cylinder, and the secondchamber of the catalyst hydraulic cylinder in fluid communication withthe hydraulic reservoir. The resin hydraulic cylinder, the synchronizingcylinder, and the catalyst hydraulic cylinder may be identical in size.The resin chamber has a larger volume than the catalyst chamber. Theresin hydraulic cylinder, the synchronizing cylinder, and the catalysthydraulic cylinder may each be configured to be actuated independently.

The system may further include a resin load cylinder in fluidcommunication with the resin injection cylinder, and a catalyst loadcylinder in fluid communication with the catalyst injection cylinder.

In a further aspect, a computer-implemented method for controlling apumpable resin system including resin and catalyst injection cylinders,a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic reservoir, a control panel, and a controlmodule, includes: receiving an injection input from the control panel;determining with at least one processor resin and catalyst volumeswithin the resin and catalyst injection cylinders; determining with atleast one processor whether sufficient volumes of resin and catalyst areavailable for executing the injection input; generating a signal for thehydraulic pump to actuate the resin and catalyst cylinders; anddetermining with at least one processor whether a resin and catalystvalue corresponding to the injection input has been obtained.

The resin and catalyst value may be a resin and catalyst injectionvolume. The resin and catalyst value may be a resin and catalystinjection pressure.

The method may further include displaying a load cylinder notificationon the control panel if insufficient volume of resin or catalyst isavailable. The injection input may be an automatic injection input and amanual injection input, with the automatic injection input includingpreprogrammed resin and catalyst values, and the manual injection inputincluding user-inputted resin and catalyst values. The preprogrammedresin and catalyst values may be at least one of resin and catalystvolumes and resin and catalyst injection pressures.

The method may further include actuating isolating valves to isolate theresin injection cylinder or the catalyst injection cylinder when theinjection input comprises the manual injection input.

The method may further include pre-pressurizing the resin injectioncylinder and the catalyst injection cylinder. Pre-pressurizing the resininjection cylinder and the catalyst injection cylinder may include:determining with at least one processor a pressure within the resin andcatalyst injection cylinders; and separately increasing pressure withinthe resin and catalyst injection cylinders until a predeterminedpressure value within the resin and catalyst injection cylinder isreached.

The pumpable resin system for installation of mine bolts further mayinclude a synchronizing cylinder, with the method further including:determining with at least one processor a position of a piston of thesynchronizing cylinder; and moving the piston of the synchronizingcylinder independently from the resin injection cylinder and thecatalyst injection cylinder.

The method may further include: determining with at least one processora volumetric ratio of resin and catalyst leaving the resin injectioncylinder and the catalyst injection cylinder based on a position of theresin and catalyst injection cylinders; and displaying the volumetricratio of resin and catalyst on the control panel. The method may furtherinclude displaying or providing an audible alarm when the volumetricratio of resin and catalyst is below a predetermined ratio value. Thepredetermined ratio value may be a 2:1 resin to catalyst ratio.

In another aspect, a system for controlling a pumpable resin systemcomprising resin and catalyst injection cylinders, a hydraulic pump, anda hydraulic reservoir, the system including: (a) control panelcomprising a display and a user input device; (b) a control modulecomprising at least one processor programmed or configured to: (i)receive an injection input from the control panel; (ii) determine resinand catalyst volumes within respective resin and catalyst injectioncylinders; (iii) determine whether sufficient volumes of resin andcatalyst are available for executing the injection input; (iv) generatea signal for the hydraulic pump to actuate the resin and catalystcylinder; and (v) determine whether a resin and catalyst valuecorresponding to the injection input has been obtained.

The resin and catalyst value may be at least one of a resin and catalystinjection volume and a resin and catalyst injection pressure. The atleast one processor may be further programmed or configured to: (vi)provide an automatic injection profile and a manual injection profile,with the automatic injection profile comprising preprogrammed resin andcatalyst volumes, and the manual injection profile includinguser-inputted resin and catalyst volumes.

The pumpable resin system may further include a synchronizing cylinder,and the system may further include: (c) a resin cylinder encoder, acatalyst cylinder encoder, and a synchronizing cylinder encoder eachconfigured to provide an output corresponding to a position of a pistonof the resin and catalyst injection cylinders and synchronizingcylinder, respectively.

The pumpable resin system may further include a synchronizing cylinder,and the at least one processor may be further programmed or configuredto: (vi) independently control the synchronizing cylinder.

In a further aspect, a computer program product for controlling apumpable resin system including a control module, includes at least onenon-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructionsthat, when executed by the control module, cause the control module to:receive an injection input from a control panel; determine resin andcatalyst volumes within respective resin and catalyst injectioncylinders; determine whether sufficient volumes of resin and catalystare available for executing the injection input; generate a signal forthe hydraulic pump to actuate the resin and catalyst cylinder; anddetermine whether a resin and catalyst value corresponding to theinjection input has been obtained.

In another aspect, an injection fitting for a pumpable resin systemincludes a striker bar including a drive surface configured to engage adrive tool of a bolter machine and a threaded portion configured tosecure the striker bar to a mine bolt, a grout body receiving a portionof the striker bar and defining an interior chamber, with the strikerbar rotatable relative to the grout body, the grout body defining aninjection port in fluid commination with the interior chamber, and aseal arrangement configured to provide a seal between the grout body andthe striker bar, the striker bar defining an injection port positionedwithin the interior chamber of the grout body, the injection port of thestriker bar configured to deliver fluid to a mine bolt secured to thethreaded portion of the striker bar.

In a further aspect, an injecting fitting for a pumpable resin systemincludes a grout body including a shaft configured to be secured to abolter arm of a bolter machine, the grout body defining an injectionport configured to receive a delivery line for delivering resin andcatalyst, a hydraulic motor secured to the grout body, and a rotatablebody rotatable relative to the grout body via the hydraulic motor, therotatable body including a threaded portion configured to be secured toa mine bolt, the rotatable body defining a passageway in fluidcommunication with the injection portion of the grout body.

The rotatable body may include a frusto-conical surface configured toengage and form a seal with a mine bolt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a pumping system and method forinstalling a mine roof bolt according to one aspect of the inventionshowing the filling of a rsi.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the system and method of FIG. 1 showingamine roof bolt being inserted into a borehole.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the system and method of FIG. 1 showingthe mine roof bolt installed.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a pumping system and method forinstalling a mine roof bolt according to a second aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a pumping system and method forinstalling a mine roof bolt according to a third aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a pumping system and method forinstalling a mine roof bolt according to a fourth aspect of theinvention showing the initial filling of the borehole.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the system and method of FIG. 6 showingthe borehole filled with a resin and a catalyst.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a pumping system and method forinstalling a mine roof bolt according to a fifth aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a pumping system and method forinstalling a mine roof bolt according to a sixth aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a pumping system and method forinstalling a mine roof bolt according to a seventh aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a twin auger arrangement for a hopperaccording to one aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 12A-12D are elevational views showing a method of installing amine roof bolt according to one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a pumping system and method forinstalling a mine roof bolt according to a further aspect of theinvention.

FIGS. 14A-14D are elevational views showing various methods ofinstalling a mine roof bolt according to one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of a pumping arrangementaccording to one aspect of the invention, showing an initial position ofthe pumping arrangement.

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of a pumping arrangementaccording to one aspect of the invention, showing a pumping position ofthe pumping arrangement.

FIG. 17 is a front view of a tube assembly according to one aspect ofthe invention.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 shown in FIG.17.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a tube assembly according to afurther aspect of the invention.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a tube assembly according to afurther aspect of the invention.

FIG. 21 is an elevational view of a pumping system and method forinstalling a mine roof bolt according to a further aspect of theinvention showing the filling of a borehole.

FIG. 22 is a front view of an injection fitting according to one aspectof the invention.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 23-23 in FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 24-24 in FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 24-24 in FIG. 22,showing the injection fitting used in conjunction with a self-drillingmine bolt.

FIG. 26A is an exploded perspective view of a resin injection systemaccording to one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 26B is a perspective view of the resin injection system of FIG.26A.

FIG. 26C is a cross-sectional view of the resin injection system of FIG.26A.

FIG. 27 is a schematic view of a pumping system and method forinstalling a mine roof bolt according to a further aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a load cylinder set according to oneaspect of the present invention, showing the load cylinder set in adispensing position.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a load cylinder set according to oneaspect of the present invention, showing the load cylinder set in a loadposition.

FIG. 30 is a side view of the load cylinder set of FIG. 28, showing theload cylinder set in a load position.

FIG. 31 is a side view of the load cylinder set of FIG. 28, showing theload cylinder set in a dispensing position.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an injection cylinder set according toone aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a front view of the injection cylinder set of FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is a bottom perspective view of the injection cylinder set ofFIG. 32.

FIG. 35 is side view of the system of FIG. 27, showing the systemmounted to a bolter machine.

FIG. 36 is a side perspective view of the system of FIG. 27, showing thesystem mounted to a skid.

FIG. 37 is a front perspective view of the system of FIG. 27, showingthe system mounted to a skid.

FIG. 38 is a rear perspective view of the system of FIG. 27, showing thesystem mounted to a skid.

FIG. 39 is an elevational view of a pumping system and method forinstalling a mine roof bolt according to a further aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 40 is an elevational view of a pumping system and method forinstalling a mine roof bolt according to a further aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 41 is a schematic view of a method for controlling a pumpable resinsystem according to one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 42 is a schematic view of the method of FIG. 41, showing aninjection sub-routine according to one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 43 is a schematic view of the method of FIG. 41, showing aninjection sub-routine according to one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 44 is a schematic view of the method of FIG. 41, showing apre-pressurization sub-routine according to one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 45 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of an injectionfitting according to one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 46 is an elevational view of the injection fitting of FIG. 45.

FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view of an injection fitting according toone aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference tothe accompanying figures. For purposes of the description hereinafter,the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”,“top”, “bottom”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the inventionas it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to beunderstood that the invention may assume various alternative variationsand step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Itis to be understood that the specific apparatus illustrated in theattached figures and described in the following specification is simplyan exemplary aspect of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, one aspect of a pumpable two component resinsystem 10 includes a delivery line formed by a resin line 12 and acatalyst line 14 that are configured to deliver grout, such as a resin28 and a catalyst 30 to a borehole 34. The resin line 12 and thecatalyst line 14 each have an inlet 16, 20 and an outlet 18, 22. Theinlet 16 of the resin line 12 is connected to and in fluid communicationwith a resin pump 24. The inlet 20 of the catalyst line 14 is connectedto and in fluid communication with a catalyst pump 26. The resin pump 24and the catalyst pump 26 are connected to respective reservoirs (notshown) containing resin 28 and catalyst 30. The resin line 12 and thecatalyst line 14 may be secured to each other via bands 32 to aid theinsertion of the lines 12, 14 within a borehole 34. The resin andcatalyst pumps 24, 26 may be chop check pumps, although other types ofpumps suitable for pumping material of a high viscosity may also beutilized. The flow of each pump 24, 26 is calibrated to provide theproper ratio between the resin 28 and the catalyst 30, which ispreferably 2:1 or 66% resin and 33% catalyst using a water-basedcatalyst. The ratio can range from about 4:1 to 3:2. With an oil-basedcatalyst, a 9:1+/−5% ratio is utilized. The flow of each pump 24, 26 maybe calibrated by adjusting the air inlet pressure and the diameter ofthe outlets 18, 22 of the resin line 12 and the catalyst line 14. Theresin 28 is a filled resin having 10-25% inert filler, such aslimestone. The resin 28 may have a viscosity of about 100,000-400,000centipoise. Conventional polyurethane resin typically has a viscosity ofless than 10,000 centipoise. The use of a high viscosity resin generallymakes pumping more difficult, but provides significant cost savingsthrough the use of the less expensive filler.

Referring to FIG. 1, to start the filling of the borehole 34, the resinand catalyst lines 12, 14 are inserted into the borehole 34 and thepumps 24, 26 are activated simultaneously to fill the borehole 34 withthe resin 28 and catalyst 30. As the resin 28 and catalyst 30 are pumpedinto the borehole 34, the lines 12, 14 are forced out of the borehole 34by the displaced material ensuring a fully filled borehole 34.Alternatively, a packer or plug (not shown) slightly smaller than theinner diameter of the borehole 34 may be installed just before the endof the lines 12, 14.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the resin 28 and the catalyst 30 willcontact each other and will react to create a very fine barrier, whichwill prevent further reaction from occurring between the resin 28 andthe catalyst 30. A mine roof bolt 36 is then inserted into the borehole34 and rotated to mix the resin 28 and catalyst 30. After the mine roofbolt 36 has been fully inserted, as shown in FIG. 3, the mixed resin 28and catalyst 30 hardens and cures to securely anchor the bolt 36 withinthe borehole 34.

Referring to FIG. 4, the pumpable two component resin system 10 mayfurther include a connector 38, such as a wye or T connector, forreceiving the resin line 12 and the catalyst line 14 from the resin pump24 and the catalyst pump 26, respectively. The use of the connector 38allows the resin and catalyst lines 12, 14 to be combined into a singlegrout tube 39 that is connected to the resin pump 24 and catalyst pump26 through the connector 38. The single grout tube 39 acts as a deliveryline and is configured to introduce the resin 28 and catalyst 30 intothe borehole 34. The system 10 using the connector 38 would operate inthe same manner as described above in connection with FIGS. 1-3.

Referring to FIG. 5, a third aspect of a pumpable two component resinsystem 40 includes a resin line 42 and a catalyst line 44. The resinline 42 and the catalyst line 44 each have an inlet 46, 52 and an outlet48, 54. The inlets 46, 52 of the resin line 42 and the catalyst line 44are connected to and in fluid communication with a resin pump 56 and acatalyst pump 58, respectively, in a similar manner as shown in FIG. 1and discussed above. The outlets 48, 54 of the resin line 42 and thecatalyst line 44, however, are connected to a connector 60, such as awye or T fitting, which is secured to a static mixer 62. The staticmixer 62 is configured to mix the resin 28 and catalyst 30 prior tobeing pumped into a borehole 64. A single grout tube 66 acts as adelivery line and is secured to the static mixer 62 and configured tointroduce the resin 28 and catalyst 30 as a mixture into the borehole64.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a fourth aspect of a pumpable two componentresin system 70 includes a delivery line formed by a resin line 72, astandard catalyst line 74, and an inhibited catalyst line 76. The system70 of FIGS. 6 and 7 operates in a similar manner to the system 10 shownin FIG. 1 and described above, but includes the inhibited catalyst line76 to provide within the borehole 34 a fast set section 78 (such as atthe blind end of the borehole 34) and a slow set section 79 (furtherspaced from the blind end of the borehole 34). Inhibited catalyst orinhibitor 77 reacts more slowly with the resin 28 from the resin line 72than the standard catalyst 30 from the standard catalyst line 74 reactswith the resin 28 from the resin line 72. The sections 78, 79 allow amine roof bolt to be anchored at the fast set section and subsequentlytensioned while the slow set section is still curing.

Referring again to FIGS. 6 and 7, in use, the lines 72, 74, 76 may eachbe inserted into the borehole 34. The resin line 72 and the standardcatalyst line 74 may then be activated or placed in the “ON” state asshown in FIG. 6 such that the resin 28 and standard catalyst 30 aredelivered to the borehole 34 with the inhibited catalyst line 74 placedin the “OFF” state. The resin 28 and standard catalyst 30 are providedalong a predetermined length of the borehole 34 to define the fast setsection 78. At that point, the standard catalyst line 74 is deactivatedor placed in the “OFF” state and the inhibited catalyst line 76 isplaced in the “ON” state such that resin 28 and inhibited catalyst 30are provided along a predetermined length of the borehole to define theslow set section 79. The fast set section 78 of resin 28 and catalyst 30will harden and set up faster than the slow set section 79 due todifferences between the catalyst 30 provided by the standard catalystline 74 and the inhibited catalyst line 76, which allows a mine roofbolt to be installed and point anchored at the blind end of the borehole34 and subsequently tensioned while the slow set section 79 is stillcuring.

Referring to FIG. 8, a fifth aspect of a pumpable two component resinsystem 80 includes a resin line 82, a standard catalyst line 84, and acatalyst inhibitor line 86. The system 80 of FIG. 8 is similar to thesystem shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and described above, but feeds thecatalyst inhibitor line 86 directly to the standard catalyst line 84.The catalyst inhibitor line 86 would only be operated or pumped at thesections where a slower set time is desired. Connecting the catalystinhibitor line 86 to the standard catalyst line 84 prevents the need fora third line positioned within the borehole 34. This system 80 couldalso be utilized by pre-mixing the resin and the catalyst. The system 80may also utilize two or more resin compositions in addition to using twoor more catalysts. In particular, the system 80 may utilize a pluralityof resins and catalysts to optimize their performance and cost.

Referring to FIG. 9, a sixth aspect of a pumpable two component resinsystem 90 includes a resin line 92 and a catalyst line 94. The resinline 92 and the catalyst line 94 each have an inlet 96, 102 and anoutlet 98, 104. The inlet 96 of the resin line 92 is connected to and influid communication with a resin cylinder pump 106. The inlet 102 of thecatalyst line 94 is connected to and in fluid communication with acatalyst cylinder pump 108. The outlets 98, 104 are connected to a grouttube 66 acting as a delivery line, although other suitable arrangementsmay be utilized. The resin cylinder pump 106 and the catalyst cylinderpump 108 are connected to respective supply pumps 110, 112 via a resinsupply line 114 and a catalyst supply line 116. The supply pumps 110,112 pump resin 126 and catalyst 128 from respective reservoirs 118, 120through the respective resin supply line 114 and catalyst supply line116 and into the respective resin cylinder pump 106 and catalystcylinder pump 108. As shown in FIG. 9, the resin cylinder pump 106 andthe catalyst cylinder pump 108 are slaved together to inject the resin126 and catalyst 128 at about a constant 2:1 volumetric ratio, althoughother suitable ratios may be utilized. The slaved pumps 106, 108 arecontrolled by a separate piston 113, which is operated by a hydraulicpump 115. The hydraulic pump 115 may have a maximum output pressure of1,200 psi, which has been demonstrated to be effective in injectingresin 126 and catalyst 128 into a borehole 130 through a ½″ diametertube over 50 feet in length, although other suitable pumps may beutilized. Although a single piston 113 controls the resin cylinder pump106 and catalyst cylinder pump 108, one or more cylinders or pistons maybe utilized to control the pumps 106, 108 to ensure the desireresin/catalyst ratio is achieved. For example, a duelservomotor-controlled cylinder arrangement may be provided to ensureequal pressure is applied to the pumps 106, 108.

The supply pumps 110, 112 are diaphragm pumps, although other types ofpumps suitable for pumping material of a high viscosity may also beutilized, such as chop check pumps, progressive cavity pumps, etc. Thepumpable two component resin system 90 shown in FIG. 9 generallyoperates in the same manner as the system 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3 anddiscussed above. The supply pumps 110, 112 are used to fill respectivecylinders 122, 124 of the resin cylinder pump 106 and catalyst cylinderpump 108 to a predetermined level for each of the cylinders 122, 124.The resin cylinder pump 106 and the catalyst cylinder pump 108 are thenactivated to dispense resin 126 and catalyst 128 simultaneously. Inorder to obtain the desirable resin to catalyst ratio, the resincylinder 122 should generally be about two times larger in volumerelative to the catalyst cylinder 124. In a similar manner as shown inFIGS. 0.2 and 3, the resin 126 and catalyst 128 will fill the borehole130 and then a bolt is subsequently inserted into the borehole 130. Theresin cylinder pump 106 and the catalyst cylinder pump 108 may then berecharged via the supply pumps 110, 112. The reservoirs 118, 120 mayeach be hoppers with a twin auger arrangement 132, which is shown moreclearly in FIG. 11, although other suitable reservoir arrangements maybe utilized. The twin auger arrangement 132 allows the components to becontinuously mixed to prevent separation or drying out of the resin andcatalyst 126, 128. The reservoirs 118, 120 may be supplied using large“chubs” or cartridges 139 or other containers containing the resin andcatalyst 126, 128. As discussed in more detail below, the grout tube 66is connected to a bolter arm 140 and is moveable relative to the bolterarm 140 to allow the insertion of the grout tube 66 within the borehole130 for delivery of the grout. The system shown in FIG. 9 may utilizeany other arrangements shown in FIGS. 1-8 and described above.

Referring to FIG. 10, the pumpable two component resin system 90 shownin FIG. 9 and described above may utilize progressive cavity pumps forthe supply pumps 110, 112 rather than the diaphragm pumps shown in FIG.9. The system 90, however, would operate in the same manner as describedabove.

Referring to FIGS. 12A-12D, one aspect of a method 134 for installing amine roof bolt is shown. The method 134 may provide an automatedarrangement for injecting and installing a mine roof bolt using abolting machine (not shown). After drilling a borehole 136 using abolting machine, a grout tube 138 is inserted into the borehole 136using the bolter arm 140 of the bolting machine as shown in FIG. 12A.Resin and catalyst components 142, 144 are injected into the borehole136 and the grout tube 138 is retracted at a suitable rate to preventair pockets or the flow of resin and catalyst 142, 144 from bypassingthe tip of the grout tube 138 as shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C. Once therequired amount of resin and catalyst 142, 144 is provided within theborehole 136, the grout tube 138 is removed from the borehole 136 asshown in FIG. 12D. A mine roof bolt may be subsequently inserted intothe borehole 136 and rotated to mine the resin and catalyst 142, 144 inthe same manner as described above in connection with FIGS. 1-3.Further, the method shown in FIGS. 12A-12D may utilize any of thesystems and arrangements shown in FIGS. 1-11. The bolting machine may beconfigured to automatically drill the borehole 136, inject the resin andcatalyst 142, 144 into the borehole 136, and install a mine roof bolt byinserting the bolt into the borehole 136 and rotating the bolt to mixthe resin and catalyst 142, 144. The bolting machine may utilize acontroller, such as a PLC, and one or more sensors to control theinstallation of the mine roof bolt. The grout tube 138 may be driven bya first and second set of drive wheels 146, 148, although any suitablearrangement for inserting and retracting the grout tube 138 may beutilized.

Referring to FIG. 13, a pumpable two component resin system 150 issimilar to the system 90 shown in FIG. 9 and discussed above. However,rather than utilizing supply pumps 110, 112 as in the system 90 of FIG.9, the system 150 of FIG. 13 utilizes a feed pump arrangement 152 havinga resin feed cylinder 154 and a catalyst feed cylinder 156 that areslaved together to feed the resin cylinder pump 106 and catalystcylinder pump 108, respectively. The cylinders 154, 156 are controlledby a main piston 158, which is operated by a hydraulic pump (not shown).The resin feed cylinder 154 and catalyst feed cylinder 156 may besupplied with resin and catalyst cartridges 160, 162 or other suitablearrangements as discussed above. For example, the resin and catalyst maybe provided to the cylinders 154, 156 via any suitable container, suchas a bucket, bag, bladder, etc. The resin and catalyst cartridges 160,162 may be fed into the cylinders 154, 156 by removing a cap 164, whichis discussed in more detail below and shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. Ratherthan utilizing the resin feed cylinder 154 and catalyst feed cylinder156 that are slaved together, the cylinders 154, 156 may be piston-typeor bladder-type accumulators with a transducer to measure the positionof the piston or bladder. The accumulators may be operated hydraulicallyor pneumatically. Accumulators are typically smaller and lighter thanthe cylinder arrangement shown in FIG. 13. Likewise, the resin cylinderpump 106 and the catalyst cylinder pump 108 may be piston-type orbladder-type accumulators for the same reasons. The system 150 may beprovided as a standalone unit on a bolting machine with the system 150having its own source of hydraulic fluid/pressure and/or compressedair/pressure, although other suitable arrangements, such asincorporation into the bolting machine hydraulics, may be utilized.

Referring to FIGS. 14A-14D, further methods of installing a mine roofbolt using the systems 10, 40, 70, 80, 90 discussed above are shown. Themixing and/or non-mixing of the resin and catalyst can be controlledduring injection by the amount of turbulence introduced into a groutinjection line. The basic properties that control the amount ofturbulence are the viscosities of the two components, the internaldiameter and length of the injection tube, and the flow rate. Changes inany of these parameters can change the characteristics of the flow fromturbulent (mixing) to laminar (non-mixing). This flow rate property andbeing able to control whether the flow is turbulent or laminar, or acombination thereof, is important for proper installation of mine roofbolts in the systems 10, 40, 70, 80, 90 discussed above. In certainsituations, mixing of the resin and catalyst is undesirable because theresin can set before the bolt can be installed. However, in othersituations, fully mixing or partially mixing the resin and catalystduring injection may be desirable.

Referring to FIG. 14A, a system 200 uses a divided injection tube 202 inorder to keep the two components separate. When the resin and catalystexit the injection tube they will lay side by side in the borehole.Turbulent and laminar flow is not an issue with this system 200 andmethod. The method of using this system 200 typically includes: drillingthe borehole; inserting the injection tube 202 into the borehole;pumping resin and catalyst at any flow rate to prevent mixing;simultaneously with pumping the resin and catalyst, retracting theinjection tube 202 at a set rate to prevent voids and flowback ahead ofthe injection tube 202; and installing a mine roof bolt (not shown) andspinning the mine roof bolt to mix the resin and catalyst. The system200 may be configured to automatically retract the injection tube 202 atthe set rate, which is based on the volume flow rate of the resin andcatalyst. As discussed above, the bolt arm 140 may be programmed toautomatically retract the tube 202 at the set rate. Typical propertiesfor this method are below:

Resin Viscosity: 125,000-225,000 cps

Catalyst Viscosity: 10,000-25,000 cps

Injection Line ID: ¾″

Injection Line Length: 14′

Flow Rate: 1-3 gpm

Referring to FIG. 14B, a system 210 utilizes a single injection line212. The typical size of the injection line 212 is ¾″ for a 33 mmborehole. The resin and catalyst are pumped into the Wye at a slowerrate in order to keep the flow laminar. The resin and catalyst will layside by side with minuscule mixing. As the resin and catalyst exits theinjection line 212, the resin and catalyst will remain side by side inthe borehole. The mine roof bolt is then inserted into the separatedresin and catalyst and rotated to mix resin and catalyst. Typicalproperties for this method are below:

Resin Viscosity: 200,000-225,000 cps

Catalyst Viscosity: 20,000-25,000 cps

Injection Line ID: ¾″

Injection Line Length: 14′

Flow Rate: 1-1.5 gpm

With the method of using the system 210 of FIG. 14B, if the flow rate isincreased from laminar flow to an intermediate flow rate, minor mixingwill occur in the injection line 212. This flow rate is about 1.5 gpm.The minor mixing of the resin and catalyst will cause small hardenedflakes of mixed resin and catalyst ⅛″ wide by ½″ in length by 1/16″thick to form within the raw resin and catalyst as the resin andcatalyst are injected. Approximately only 10% of the resin may reactwith the catalyst during this partial mixing process. The reacted piecesof resin/catalyst act as small mixing blades when a mine roof bolt isinstalled.

The method of using this system 210 typically includes: drilling theborehole; inserting the injection line 212 into the borehole; pumpingresin and catalyst at a laminar flow rate to prevent mixing;simultaneously with pumping, retracting the injection line 212 at a setrate to prevent voids and flowback ahead of the injection line 212; andinstalling a mine roof bolt (not shown) and spinning the bolt to mix theresin and catalyst.

Referring to FIG. 14C, a system 220 uses a single injection line 222.The typical size of the injection line 222 is ¾″. The resin and catalystare pumped into the Wye at a faster rate to create an intermediate toturbulent flow. The resin and catalyst will mix as it flows through theinjection tube 222. In one aspect of this method, a grout tube 224 maybe attached to the mine roof bolt and remain in the cured resin/catalystmixture. However, in other aspects, the mine roof bolt may be installedafter injection of the resin and catalyst as described above inconnection with the system of FIG. 14B. Typical properties for thismethod are below:

Resin Viscosity: 125,000-150,000 cps

Catalyst Viscosity: 10,000-15,000 cps

Injection Line ID: ¼″

Injection Line Length: 14′

Flow Rate: 2.0-2.5 gpm

The method of installing the system 220 of FIG. 14C typically includes:drilling the borehole; connecting the injection line 222 to the grouttube 224 which lays alongside the mine roof bolt (not shown) orinserting the injection line 222 into the end of the borehole; pumping apredetermined amount of resin and catalyst into the borehole at aturbulent flow rate to allow mixing of the resin and catalyst; andstopping the pumping when the borehole is full. The mine roof bolt willbe completely installed and no spinning of the mine roof bolt will benecessary due to the turbulent flow and prior mixing of the resin andcatalyst.

Referring to FIG. 14D, a system 230 utilizes a single injection line 232and creates a point anchored arrangement. The typical size of theinjection line 232 is ¾″ for a 33 mm borehole. At the start ofinjection, the resin and catalyst are pumped into the Wye at a fast rateto create turbulent (mixing) flow then at a predetermined position, theflow is switched to a laminar (non-mixing) flow. The mixedresin/catalyst at a top section 234 of the borehole starts to reactwhere the resin and catalyst at a bottom portion 236 of the boreholedoes not react or setup. A mine roof bolt (not shown) is quicklyinstalled and spun to mix the bottom section 236 starting the reactiontime for the mixed resin and catalyst. The top section 234, which wasmixed during injection, will set before the bottom section 236 to allowthe bolt to be torqued thereby creating tension in the bolt before thebottom section 236 sets. The system 230 is similar to a point anchoredrebar bolt that uses a fast resin/catalyst cartridge at the top and aslow resin/catalyst cartridge at the bottom. Typical properties for thismethod are below:

Resin Viscosity: 125,000-225,000 cps

Catalyst Viscosity: 10,000-25,000 cps

Injection Line ID: ¾″

Injection Line Length: 14′

Flow Rate: 1-2.5 gpm

The method of installing the system of FIG. 14D typically includes:drilling the borehole; inserting the injection line 232 into the end ofthe borehole; pumping a predetermined amount of resin and catalyst intothe borehole at a turbulent flow rate to allow mixing of resin andcatalyst; after a predetermined length of time or amount of resin andcatalyst supplied at a turbulent flow rate, switching to a laminar flowrate of the resin and catalyst to prevent mixing; simultaneously withthe turbulent and laminar flow rate pumping, retracting the injectionline 232 at a set rate to prevent voids and flowback ahead of theinjection line; and installing a mine roof bolt (not shown) and spinningthe mine roof bolt to mix the resin and catalyst. As noted above, thetop section 234 of resin/catalyst injected with a turbulent flow rate,thereby mixing the resin and catalyst, will set first to allow a drivemember, such as a nut, at the bottom of the mine roof bolt to be torquedto the tension the mine roof bolt.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the resin and catalyst cartridges 160, 162may be fed into the cylinders 154, 156 by removing the cap 164. The cap164 may be moveable relative to the cylinders 154, 156 via any suitablearrangement. The cap 164 may be hinged, laterally moveable using a gatevalve-like arrangement, or may be vertically moveable with the cylinders154, 156 being moveable via a sliding base. The resin and catalystcartridges 160, 162 may be provided with various resin to catalystratios from about 1:1 to 95:5. In one aspect, the ratio may be about 2:1with the resin and catalyst provided separately in the cartridges 160,162. The cylinders 154, 156 include a port 166 extending through asidewall of the cylinders 154, 156, although the port 166 may also beprovided in the cap 164 as indicated by dashed lines in FIGS. 15 and 16.The port 166 may be a ¾″ hose connection port, although other suitableconnections and ports may be utilized. The cartridges 160, 162 include abody 168 that defines a space for receiving the resin or catalyst. Thebody 168 may be formed from a non-reactive plastic materials, such asNylon, Polypropylene, or polytetrafluoroethylene-based material,although other suitable materials may be utilized. In one example, thebody 168 for the resin cartridge 160 is formed from Nylon and the body168 for the catalyst cartridge 162 is formed from polyethylene. Nylon isshown to be effective in preventing the migration of styrene from thecartridge 160. Polyethylene prevents the migration of water from thecatalyst cartridge 162. The resin cartridge 160 may be 6″ in diameterand the catalyst cartridge 162 may be 4″ in diameter with each cartridge160, 162 having a height of 14″, which corresponds to the size of thecylinders 154, 156, although suitable sizes may be utilized. The body168 of the resin cartridges 160, 162 may have a thickness of 6-10 mil.In one aspect, the body 168 has a thickness of 6 mil.

Referring again to FIGS. 15 and 16, the cap 164 and the cylinders 154,156 define a gap 170 between the cap 164 and the cylinders 154, 156. Thegap 170 allows air to escape from within the cylinders 154, 156 duringthe initial compression of the cartridges 160, 162 within the cylinders154, 156. If the lid 164 forms an air-tight seal with the cylinders 154,156, air would become trapped within the cylinders 154, 156 and wouldeventually be forced out through the grout tube 66 causing undesirableair bursts or pops, uneven flow, and/or turbulent mixing of the resinand catalyst. As shown in FIG. 16, when the cartridges 160, 162 arecompressed, the air will escape through the gap 170 with the body 168 ofthe cartridges 160, 162 expanding to self-seal the gap 170 between cap164 and the cylinders 154, 156. Thus, the cap 164 and cylinders 154, 156form a self-sealing design where resin and catalyst does not escapethrough the gap 170 and where the plastic bag does not break or extrudethrough the gap 170. Further, when the cartridges 160, 162 arecompressed and pressurized, the body 168 of the cartridges 160, 162 willonly be punctured at the location of the port 166 and flow directly intothe port 166 for eventual delivery to the borehole. When the cylinders154, 156 are fully compressed, only the body 168 of the cartridges 160,162 and a minimal amount of resin or catalyst will remain. The body 168of the cartridges 160, 162 may then be discarded and the cylinders 154,156 can be reloaded with full cartridges 160, 162. This arrangement ofthe cylinders 154, 156, cartridges 160, 162, and cap 164 keeps thecylinders 154, 156 clean during use for easy loading and unloading andprotects the seals of the piston of the cylinders 154, 156 from wearfrom the resin material. Furthermore, the cylinders 154, 156 may also beprovided with a separate bladder (not shown) within the cylinders 154,156 that receives the cartridges 160, 162. The separate bladder may bemade from rubber, polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), or other suitableflexible bladder materials. The separate bladder can provide anadditional layer of protection for the cylinders 154, 156.

Referring still to FIG. 15, the port 166 may be in fluid communicationwith a valve 167, such as a one-way check valve, that is in fluidcommunication with atmosphere. After the body 168 of the cartridges 160,162 is compressed, the cylinders 154, 156 are withdrawn, as discussedabove, which creates a vacuum. The valve 167 allows air to enter thecylinder 154, 156 via the port 166 to break the vacuum therebypreventing the body 168 of the cartridges 160, 162 from being pulledinto the port 166, which can inhibit the removal of the cartridges 160,162 after their contents have been expelled.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, an injection tube assembly 240 accordingto a further aspect of the invention includes a connection fitting 242that receives a first tube 244 and a second tube 246. The connectionfitting 242 has a first port 248 in fluid communication with the firsttube 244 and a second port 250 in fluid communication with the secondtube 246. The second tube 246 is received within the first tube 244. Thesecond tube 246 extends through the connection fitting 242 and isconnected to the second port 250. The first tube 244 is connected to anend connection 252 of the connection fitting 242 with the first port 248in fluid communication with the annular space between the first andsecond tubes 244, 246. The connection fitting 242 may be apush-to-connect type fitting, although other suitable connections andfittings may be utilized. The first and second tubes 244, 246 may bepolymer tubes, such as nylon, polyethylene, cross-linked polyethylene,etc. The second tube 246 may be utilized for the resin and the firsttube 244 may be utilized for the catalyst, although the second tube 246may also be utilized for the catalyst with the first tube 244 beingutilized for the resin. The resin cylinder pump 106 discussed above maybe connected to the second port 250 and the catalyst cylinder pump 108may be connected to the first port 248 to deliver the catalyst and resininto a borehole. A lubricant may be provided on the tubes 244, 246 toimprove the flow of resin and catalyst through the tubes 244, 246. Thelubricant may be provided on the inside of the first tube 244, theoutside of the second tube 246, and/or the inside of the second tube246.

Referring to FIG. 19, the divided injection tube 202 of FIG. 14A may bea D-shaped tube arrangement. In particular, the divided injection tube202 may include two D-shaped portions 260, 262 for the resin andcatalyst. The divided injection tube 202 may be made from nylon,although other suitable materials may be utilized.

Referring to FIG. 20, the divided injection tube 202 of FIG. 14A mayalso be two separate tubes 270, 272 that are heat-welded to each otheralong a longitudinal axis of the tubes 270, 272.

The systems 10, 40, 70, 80, 90, 200, 210, 220, 230 and variousconfigurations discussed above may be utilized in connection with anysuitable rock bolt, including cable bolts, friction bolts, rebar bolts,etc. The systems 10, 40, 70, 80, 90, 200, 210, 220, 230, for example,may be utilized in connection with the friction bolt shown and describedin U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/366,345 filed on Jul. 25,2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.Further, rather than providing a separate injection or grout tube, therock bolt may be a hollow core bolt with the resin and catalyst suppliedto the borehole via the hollow core.

Referring to FIG. 21, the grout tube 224 may be attached to the minebolt 36 with the mine bolt 36 and the grout tube 224 being inserted intothe borehole, which was discussed above in connection with FIG. 14C. Thegrout tube 224 is secured to the mine bolt 36 using wire or tape at aplurality of spaced-apart locations, although other suitablearrangements may be utilized to secure the grout tube 224 to the minebolt 36. The resin and catalyst are delivered to the borehole via thegrout tube 224 with the grout tube 224 and the bolt 36 being encased bythe resin and grout and left within the borehole upon curing of theresin. The grout tube 224 may be connected to the injection tube 222with the grout tube 224 being separated from the injection tube 222after delivery of the resin and catalyst such that the injection tube222 and connector 38 can be utilized for installing additional bolts 36.The injection tube 222 and connector 38 may be in fluid communicationwith the static mixer 62 discussed above. The mine bolt 36 may be acable bolt, such as a twin strand cable bolt with a plurality of bulbsalong the length of the bolt 36, although other suitable cable bolts maybe utilized. The mine bolt 36 may also have a length of at least 30 ft.,although other suitable length cable bolts may be utilized.

Referring to FIGS. 22-25, an injection fitting 280 for a pumpable resinsystem according to a further embodiment is shown. The injection fitting280 includes a main body 282 having a first end 284 and a second end 286positioned opposite the first end 284. The main body 282 defines acentral opening 288 at the second end 286 of the main body 282 that isconfigured to receive a rock bolt. The central opening 288 extends fromthe second end 286 of the main body 282 to a position intermediate thefirst and second ends 284, 286 of the main body 282. The injectionfitting 280 also includes a grout body 290 that defines a space 292between the main body 282 and the grout body 290. The grout body 290 hasa first end 294 and a second end 296 positioned opposite the first end294. The main body 282 defines a pair of grout openings 298 in fluidcommunication with the central opening 288 of the main body 282. Themain body 282 is rotatable relative to the grout body 290. The groutbody 290 defines a resin port 300 and a catalyst port 302 that are eachin fluid communication with the space 292 between the main body 282 andthe grout body 290 and the grout openings 298 of the main body 282.

The main body 282 is cylindrical and includes a drive head 304 at thefirst end 284 of the main body 282 that is configured to be engaged by adrive tool (not shown), such as a drill implement of a boom arm of amine bolting machine. The grout body 290 is annular and receives themain body 282 within a central opening 306 defined by the grout body290. The main body 282 and/or grout body 290 includes a pair of seals308 that are configured to provide a sealed interface between the mainbody 282 and the grout body 290. The main body 282 is free to rotaterelative to the grout body 290 when the main body 282 is rotated via thedrive head 304. Axial movement of the main body 282 relative to thegrout body 290 may be restricted via a retaining clip (not shown) at thesecond end 286 of the main body 282 or a flange (not shown) projectingfrom the main body 282, although other suitable arrangements forrestricting axial movement of the main body 282 relative to the groutbody 290 may be utilized.

The grout body 290 further includes a water port 310 that is in fluidcommunication with the grout openings 298 of the main body 282.Alternatively, the main body 282 may define a further port for injectingwater. The water port 310 may be utilized to inject water or a water andoil solution to flush the fitting 280 after each use. The main body 282includes a threaded portion 312 adjacent to the central opening 288 ofthe main body 282. As shown in FIG. 25, the threaded portion 312 of themain body 282 is configured to receive a corresponding threaded portion314 of a rock bolt 316. More specifically, the rock bolt 316 may be aself-drilling rock bolt defining a central opening 318 configured to bein fluid communication with the central opening 288 of the injectionfitting 280 when the rock bolt 316 is secured to the fitting 280. In oneaspect, the rock bolt 316 is secured to the fitting 280 via engagementof the corresponding threaded portions 312, 314. The rock bolt 316includes a drill bit 320 configured to drill a bore hole in rock strata.

Referring to FIG. 24, the main body 282 includes a pair of wipers 322extending radially outward from the main body 282 into the space 292between the main body 282 and the grout body 290. The wipers 322 areconfigured to remove resin and catalyst from an inner surface 324 of thegrout body 290. The wipers 322 may extend the first end 294 of the groutbody 290 to the second end 296 of the grout body 290. Although twowipers 322 are shown, one or more wipers 322 may be utilized.

Referring again to FIGS. 22-25, the injection fitting 280 may beutilized by securing the rock bolt 316 to the injection fitting 280using the corresponding threaded portions 312, 314. The rock bolt 316 isused to drill a bore hole in the rock strata via engagement with thedrive head 304. During rotation of the main body 282 of the fitting 280and the rock bolt 316, the grout body 290 remains fixed relative to themain body 282 of the fitting 280 and the rock bolt 316. Water or adrilling fluid may be supplied to the drill bit 320 via the centralopening 318 of the rock bolt 316 and one of the ports 300, 302, 310 ofthe injection fitting 280. The rock bolt 316 may be grouted by supplyingresin and catalyst to the resin and catalyst ports 300, 302 using any ofthe supply systems discussed herein. The resin and catalyst flow throughthe respective ports 300, 302, into the space 292 between the main body282 and the grout body 290, and through the grout openings 298 of themain body 282 and into the central opening 288 of the main body 282. Theresin and catalyst can then flow from the central opening 288 of themain body 282 through the central opening 318 of the rock bolt 316 andinto the bore hole previously drilled by the rock bolt. The main body282 is then disengaged from the rock bolt 316 by unthreading the mainbody 282 from the rock bolt 316. The fitting 280 may be flushed via thewater port 310 with water or a water and oil solution to clean out thefitting 280 and to prevent accumulation of cured resin within thefitting 280. Further rock bolts 316 may then be installed utilizing thesame process discussed above.

Referring to FIGS. 26A-26C, an injection fitting 330, according to afurther aspect of the invention, includes a body 332 having a first end334 and a second end 336 positioned opposite from the first end 334. Thebody 332 defines a resin port 338, a catalyst port 340, and a water port342. The first end 334 of the body 332 is configured to engage a boomarm of a mine bolting machine. The fitting 330 further includes a rockbolt engagement member 344 having a body 346 with a conical surface 348that is configured to engage and form a seal with a rock bolt 350. Thebody 346 may be produced from an elastomeric material, although the body346 may be produced from any suitable material that can form a seal withthe rock bolt 350. The rock bolt engagement member 344 is secured to thebody 332. The rock bolt engagement member 344 may be secured to the body332 by a threaded arrangement, although any suitable securingarrangement may be utilized. The resin may be supplied to the resin port338 via the boom arm or a separate injection line connected to the boomarm.

The conical surface 348 of the rock bolt engagement member 344 maydefine an interior space 352 with the resin port 338 and the catalystport 340 in fluid communication with the interior space 352. During use,the conical surface 348 of the rock bolt engagement member 344 engagesthe rock bolt 350 and forms a seal with the rock bolt 350. Resin andcatalyst are supplied to the resin port 338 and the catalyst port 340,into the interior space, and through a central opening 354 defined bythe rock bolt 350. The upward force from the boom arm is sufficient forthe body 346 of the rock bolt engagement member 344 to form a seal withthe rock bolt 350 during the injection of the resin and catalyst. Thebody 332 may be flushed with an oil/water mixture using the water port342. The rock bolt 350 may be a self-drilling rock bolt.

Referring to FIG. 27, a pumpable system 370 according to a furtheraspect of the present invention includes a control module 372, ahydraulic motor 374, a hydraulic reservoir 376; a load cylinder set 378,and an injection cylinder set 380. The control module 372 iselectronically connected to the hydraulic motor 374 and the loadcylinder set 378 and the injection cylinder set 380. The load cylinderset 378 includes a resin load cylinder 382 and a catalyst load cylinder384 and the injection cylinder set 380 includes a resin injectioncylinder 386 and a catalyst injection cylinder 388 similar to the system150 shown in FIG. 13 and discussed above. The cylinders 382, 384, 386,388 each include a linear encoder, which is in communication with thecontrol module 372, although other suitable sensors to measure theposition of pistons within the cylinders 382, 384, 386, 388 may beutilized. The control module 372 is configured to dispense apredetermined amount of resin and catalyst from the injection cylinders386, 388 based on an input from a user. The control module 372 mayinclude an automatic injection input corresponding to a number ofpreprogrammed or preset configurations for dispensing predeterminedamounts of resin and catalyst and may also include a manual injectioninput corresponding to custom user-inputted dispensing amounts of resinand catalyst. The control module 372 may be a PLC controller includingat least one processor, or any other like computing device forcontrolling one or more aspects of the system 370. The PLC or processormay be programmed using any suitable programming language, including,for example in ladder logic available from Rockwell, although any othersuitable programming language may be utilized. The hydraulic motor is influid communication with the hydraulic reservoir 376 and supplies thehydraulic fluid to the load cylinder set 378 and the injection cylinderset 380 based on the input from the control module 372. Although aprogrammable control module 372 may be utilized, the system 370 may alsobe utilized manually to turn the hydraulic motor 374 on or off todispense resin and catalyst from the cylinders 382, 384, 386, 388. Thesystem 370 may also include a plurality of isolation valves that allowsthe cylinders 382, 384, 386, 388 to be controlled individually andindependently.

The injection cylinder set may be supplied from the hydraulic motor 374via a mechanical spool valve (not shown). The spool valve may supplytwice the volume of hydraulic fluid from the reservoir 376 to the resininjection cylinder 386 compared to the catalyst injection cylinder 388to obtain a 2:1 ratio for supplying the resin and catalyst from thecylinders 386, 388. Alternatively, servo valves may be utilized toelectronically control the cylinders 386, 388 to obtain the desiredresin/catalyst supply ratio.

Referring to FIGS. 28-31, the load cylinder set 378 is similar andoperates similarly to the system 150 shown in FIG. 13 and discussedabove. Rather than loading the cartridges 160, 162 via the cap 164,however, the cylinders 382, 384 each include a rotatable chamber 390,392 that rotates from a dispensing position where the chambers 390, 392are aligned with respective piston heads 394, 396 to a load positionwhere the chambers 390, 392 are positioned at an angle, such as 45degrees, relative to the piston heads 394, 396. In the load position,the cartridges 160, 162 may be loaded into the chambers 390, 392 withthe chambers 390, 392 being subsequently moved into the dispensingposition to allow the piston heads 394, 396 to supply the resin andcatalyst to the injection cylinder set 380. The load cylinder set 378may include a lockout arrangement to prevent the actuation of the pistonheads 394, 396 when the chambers 390, 392 are in the load position. Theload cylinders 382, 384 also include stationary cylinders 398, 400. Thestationary cylinders 398, 400 may have the same diameter and length. Theresin chamber 390 and the catalyst chamber 392 may have differentdiameters with the piston heads 394, 396 sized to cooperate with theresin and catalyst chambers 390, 392. The resin piston head 394 and thecatalyst piston head 396 includes a cleaning seal that is configured toremove resin and catalyst from the chambers 390, 392. The cleaning sealmay be a polymeric material. In one aspect, the cleaning seal ismanufactured from high density polyethylene, although other suitablematerials may be utilized. The cleaning seal may be readily replacedonce the cleaning seal becomes worn. The resin load chamber 390 and thecatalyst load chamber 392 may include a piercing member (not shown) thatis configured to pierce the cartridges 160, 162 when the cylinders 382,384 are actuated.

Referring to FIGS. 32-34, the injection cylinder set 380 is similar andoperates similarly to the system 150 shown in FIG. 13 and discussedabove. The injection cylinders 386, 388 receive resin and catalyst fromthe load cylinders 382, 384 and are configured to supply resin andcatalyst to a borehole via a bolter, grout tube, or other suitablearrangement. The injection cylinders 386, 388 each include a chamber404, 406 and hydraulic cylinder 408, 410. The chambers 404, 406 may havethe same diameter, but different lengths. The hydraulic cylinders 408,410 may also have the same diameter, but different lengths.

Referring to FIG. 35, the system 370 is shown positioned on a boltermachine 412. The load cylinder set 378 may be positioned on the side ofthe bolter machine 412 to allow easy access for loading cartridges 160,162 into the cylinders 382, 384. A control panel 414 may be positionedin a cab 416 of the bolter machine 412. The control panel 414 is incommunication with the control module 372 to allow an operator of thebolter machine 412 to control the supply of resin and catalyst to abolter arm 418 as discussed above. The control module 372, hydraulicmotor 374, reservoir 376, load cylinder set 378, and injection cylinderset 380 may be provided within housings or guards to protect them fromthe surrounding environment.

Referring to FIGS. 37 and 38, the system 370 may also be provided on askid 420 as a standalone unit. Although not shown, the control module372, hydraulic motor 374, reservoir 376, load cylinder set 378, andinjection cylinder set 380 may be provided within housings or guards onthe skid 420 to protect them from the surrounding environment. The skid420 and the system 370 in general may be utilized in connection with anyof the arrangements discussed above in connection with systems 10, 40,70, 80, 90, 200, 210, 220, 230.

Referring to FIG. 39, an injection cylinder set 500 according to afurther aspect of the present invention is shown. The injection cylinderset is similar to the injection cylinder 380 shown in FIGS. 32-34 anddiscussed above. Rather than utilizing a spool valve to control theratio of the resin and catalyst being supplied from the cylinders 386,388, the resin injection cylinder 386 and the catalyst injectioncylinder 388 are synchronized to ensure that the catalyst injectioncylinder 388 is displaced when the resin injection cylinder 386 isdisplaced. In the same manner discussed above in connection withinjection cylinder set 380, the injection cylinders receive resin andcatalyst from the load cylinders 382, 384 and are configured to supplyresin and catalyst to a borehole via a bolter, grout tube, or othersuitable arrangement. In the injection cylinder set 500, the hydrauliccylinders 408, 410 are identical in size, which improves serviceabilityand reduces costs, although other suitable sized cylinders may beutilized. The resin chamber 404 is larger in volume than the catalystchamber 406. In one aspect, the resin chamber 404 is 10″ in diameter and27 inches long and the catalyst chamber 406 is 7″ in diameter and 27inches long.

Referring again to FIG. 39, the hydraulic cylinders 408, 410 may bedouble-acting cylinders with the resin hydraulic cylinder 408 fluidlyconnected to the catalyst hydraulic cylinder 410 in series such thatmovement of the resin hydraulic cylinder 408 results in correspondingmovement of the catalyst hydraulic cylinder 410. The resin hydrauliccylinder 408 and the catalyst hydraulic cylinder 410 each include firstand second chambers 510, 512, 514, 516 positioned on opposite sides of apiston 522, 524. The first chamber 510 of the resin hydraulic cylinder408 is in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump 374, the secondchamber 512 of the resin hydraulic cylinder 408 is in fluidcommunication with the first chamber 514 of the catalyst hydrauliccylinder 410, and the second chamber 516 of the catalyst hydrauliccylinder 410 is in fluid communication with the hydraulic reservoir 376.

Referring to FIG. 40, an injection cylinder set 550 according to afurther aspect of the present invention is shown. The injection cylinderset 550 is similar to the injection cylinder sets 380, 500 shown inFIGS. 32-34 and 39 and discussed above. In contrast to the injectioncylinder set 500 of FIG. 39, however, the injection cylinder set 550further includes a synchronizing cylinder 526 provided in series betweenthe resin injection cylinder 386 and the catalyst injection cylinder388. The injection cylinder set 600 ensures the resin and catalystinjection cylinders 386, 388 are synchronized to ensure that thecatalyst injection cylinder 388 is displaced when the resin injectioncylinder 386 is displaced. The synchronizing cylinder 526 includes firstand second chambers 518, 520 positioned on opposite sides of a piston528, with the first chamber 510 of the resin hydraulic cylinder 408 influid communication with the hydraulic pump 374, the second chamber 512of the resin hydraulic cylinder 408 in fluid communication with thesecond chamber 520 of the synchronizing cylinder 526, the first chamber518 of the synchronizing cylinder 526 in fluid communication with thefirst chamber 514 of the catalyst hydraulic cylinder 410, and the secondchamber 516 of the catalyst hydraulic cylinder 410 in fluidcommunication with the hydraulic reservoir 376. The synchronizingcylinder 526 ensures equal cross-sectional area of the second chamber512 of the resin hydraulic cylinder 408 and the second chamber 520 ofthe synchronizing cylinder 526 and equal cross-sectional area of thefirst chamber 518 of the synchronizing cylinder 526 and the firstchamber 514 of the catalyst cylinder 410. The resin hydraulic cylinder408, the synchronizing cylinder 526, and the catalyst hydraulic cylinder410 are identical in size, although other suitable arrangement may beutilized. The resin hydraulic cylinder 408, the synchronizing cylinder526, and the catalyst hydraulic cylinder 410 are each configured to beactuated independently. The injection cylinder set 600 may include makeup valves or anti-cavitation valves (not shown) to allow the catalysthydraulic cylinder 410 to retract, the resin hydraulic cylinder 408 toretract, and the independent control of the synchronizing cylinder 526to reset the synchronizing cylinder 526 if the resin and catalystcylinders 408, 410 bottom out at different times. The synchronizingcylinder 526 includes a linear encoder to determine the position of thepiston 528 and the amount of stroke available, although other suitablesensors may be utilized to determine the position and stroke availablefor the cylinder 526.

The injection cylinder sets 500, 550 may be utilized with the pumpableresin system 370 discussed above and in connection with any of thedelivery arrangements and methods discussed herein.

Referring to FIGS. 41-44, schematic diagrams of a system and method forcontrolling the pumpable resin system 370 discussed above according toone aspect of the present invention are shown. As discussed above, thecontrol of the pumpable resin system 370 is accomplished via the controlmodule 372, which may be a PLC controller including at least oneprocessor, or any other like computing device for controlling one ormore aspects of the system 370.

Referring to FIGS. 41-44, the computer-implemented method includes thestep 604 of receiving an injection input from the control panel 414.Although the control panel 414 is shown in FIG. 35 in a cab of thebolter machine 416, the control panel 414 may be provided in anysuitable location, such as on the skid 420 for the skid-basedapplication. As discussed above, the injection input may include anautomatic injection input 606 and a manual injection input 608, with theautomatic injection input 606 including one or more preprogrammed resinand catalyst values, such as a pre-set volume of resin and catalyst or apre-set pressure of the delivery line or lines. By monitoring thepressure of the delivery line using a pressure sensor or transducer, thecontrol module 372 is configured to stop the delivery of resin andcatalyst once a pre-set pressure within the delivery line is obtained,with the pre-set pressure corresponding to a typical pressure of thedelivery line when the borehole has been suitably filled with resin andcatalyst. The manual injection input 608 may include the user-inputtedselection of cylinders 386, 388, 526 and the selection of a volume foreach cylinder, although the manual injection input 608 may also allowthe manual actuation and stopping of each cylinder 386, 388, 526. Themethod further includes the step 610 of determining resin and catalystvolumes within the resin and catalyst injection cylinders 386, 388,which may be determined using a signal received by the control module372 from the linear encoders. In particular, based on the position ofthe pistons 522, 524 of the resin and catalyst injection cylinders 386,388, a volume of resin and catalyst remaining in chambers 404, 406 ofthe cylinders can be calculated using the equation: volume=π r²h. If anample supply of resin and catalyst are available, the method executesthe injection sub-routine 612 shown in FIG. 42. If an ample supply ofresin and catalyst are unavailable, the control panel 414 may display anotification to user indicating that resin and/or catalyst need to beloaded via the load cylinders 378. In one aspect, an ample supply is aminimum volume of resin and catalyst necessary to complete the selectedinjection routine. The minimum volume of resin and catalyst may be theautomatic pre-set resin and catalyst volumes, the manually-inputtedresin and catalyst volumes, or any other volumes required by anautomatic or manually-inputted injection routine.

Referring to FIGS. 42-44, the injection sub-routine 612 of the methodincludes the step 614 of enabling or disabling the resin, synchronizing,or catalyst cylinders 386, 388, 526 if independent control of thecylinders is required based on the injection input. The method alsoincludes a pre-pressurization sub-routine 616 that is configured topre-pressurize the resin and catalyst chambers 404, 406 to ensure anyair has been sufficiently removed and also to pre-pressurize thechambers to ensure adequate flow upon injection. In particular, as theresin is more viscous than the catalyst, the resin chamber 404 may bepre-pressurized at a pressure higher than the catalyst chamber 406 toensure adequate flow the resin, particularly for long runs of thedelivery line. The pre-pressurization includes determining a pressurewithin the resin and catalyst injection cylinders and separatelyincreasing pressure within the resin and catalyst injection cylindersuntil a predetermined pressure value within the resin and catalystinjection cylinder is reached. The injection sub-routine 612 of themethod further includes the step 618 of determining a position of apiston 528 of the synchronizing cylinder 526 and moving the piston 528of the synchronizing cylinder 526 independently from the resin injectioncylinder 386 and the catalyst injection cylinder 388.

Referring again to FIGS. 42 and 43, the injection sub-routine 612 of themethod includes the steps 620, 622 of generating a signal for thehydraulic pump to actuate the resin and catalyst cylinders anddetermining whether a resin and catalyst value corresponding to theinjection input has been obtained. For an automatic or manual injectioninput, the control module 372 is configured to determine whether theinputted resin and catalyst volume (FIG. 42) or the inputted resin andcatalyst pressure (FIG. 43) has been met. If the inputted resin andcatalyst volume (FIG. 42) or the inputted resin and catalyst pressure(FIG. 43) has not been met, the hydraulic pump 374 continues to feedhydraulic pressure to the resin and catalyst injection cylinders 386,388 to deliver resin and catalyst. Once the inputted resin and catalystvolume (FIG. 42) or the inputted resin and catalyst pressure (FIG. 43)has been met, the hydraulic pump 374 is disabled or de-energized to haltthe delivery of resin and catalyst. During delivery of resin andcatalyst, the system 370 and method may determine a resin and catalystratio being delivered based on the position of the injection cylinders386, 388 and the corresponding volume as discussed above. A ratio ofresin to catalyst volume may be displayed on the control panel 414. Themethod may also include the step 624 of determining whether the resin tocatalyst ratio is within a pre-determined range, such as a 2:1ratio+/−1%, and, if not, sound an alarm or provide a notification to auser and/or stop the injection process. The method may also include thestep of actuating isolating valves (not shown) to isolate the resininjection cylinder 386 or the catalyst injection cylinder 388 based onthe injection input. Although not shown, the system 370 may furtherinclude a system shutdown input displayed on the control panel 414 thatceases all operations of the system. Further, the system 370 andcorresponding method of controlling the cylinders 386, 388, 526 mayprovide for a number diagnostic routines to notify a user of errors inthe process, malfunctioning equipment, and other issues arising. Thediagnostic routines may be run via a user-inputted command into thepanel 414 or may run automatically during operation of the system 370.

Accordingly, the system 370 and control module 372 are configured tocarry out any of the steps of the method discussed above in connectionwith FIGS. 41-44.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a computerprogram product for controlling the pumpable resin system 370, includesat least one non-transitory computer-readable medium including programinstructions that, when executed by the control module, cause thecontrol module to: receive an injection input from the control panel414; determine resin and catalyst volumes within respective resin andcatalyst injection cylinders 386, 388; determine whether sufficientvolumes of resin and catalyst are available for executing the injectioninput; generate a signal for the hydraulic pump 374 to actuate the resinand catalyst cylinder 386, 388; and determine whether a resin andcatalyst value corresponding to the injection input has been obtained.The computer program product may include instructions for any of thesteps of the method discussed above in connection with FIGS. 41-44.

In non-limiting aspects or embodiments of the invention, theimplementation of a processor as described to communicate with thecylinders 386, 388, 526, pump 374, and other components of the system370 provides the benefit of reducing product waste, reducing thelikelihood of pumping errors, and providing visual/auditory feedback tooperators of the described system. The invention as described hereinfurther provides for improved interoperability among system hardware, inaddition to providing the ability to monitor, store performance data,and evaluate the efficiency of the injection process. Furthermore, thedescribed arrangement of the system 370 provides the technicalimprovement of ensuring proper resin to catalyst ratio.

Referring to FIGS. 45 and 46, an injection fitting 640 according to afurther aspect of the present invention includes a rotating striker bar642, a stationary grout swivel body 644, and first and second sealmembers 646, 648. The striker bar 642 includes a drive surface 650configured to engage a drive tool of a bolter machine. The striker bar642 may be configured to be utilized with a percussion drilling machineand wet drilling with water or other suitable fluid. The first andsecond seals 646, 648 may be percussion resistant and configured tomaintain a seal between the grout swivel body 644 and the striker bar642 during percussion drilling. The striker bar 642 includes a threadedportion 652 for securing the striker bar 642 to a mine roof bolt. Thegrout swivel body 644 defines an injection port 654 in fluidcommunication with an interior chamber 656 defined by the grout swivelbody 644. The striker bar 642 defines an injection port 658 positionedbetween the first and second seals 646, 648 and in fluid communicationwith the interior chamber 656 and the injection port 654 of the groutswivel body 644.

Referring again to FIGS. 45 and 46, during use of the fitting 640, thestriker bar 642 is secured to a mine roof bolt using the threadedportion 652. The striker bar 642 is then used to drill a borehole inrock strata via the mine roof bolt, which may include percussiondrilling and wet drilling with a fluid. Once drilling is complete, resinand catalyst are delivered via a delivery line to the injection port 654of the grout swivel body 644, into the interior chamber 656, into theinjection port 658 of the striker bar 642, and into a hollow core of amine roof bolt secured to the striker bar. The striker bar 642 is thenflushed with water to remove any residual resin and catalyst.

Referring to FIG. 47, an injection fitting 670 according to a furtheraspect of the present invention includes a stationary grout body 672, astationary hydraulic motor 674, and a rotating body 676. The stationarygrout body 672 includes a threaded shaft 678 for attaching to a bolterarm of a bolter machine. The stationary grout body 672 defines aninjection port 680 configured to receive a delivery line for deliveringresin and catalyst. The rotating body 676 includes a threaded portion682 configured to be secured to a hollow core mine roof bolt. Therotating body 676 includes a frusto-conical surface 684 and is rotatablevia the hydraulic motor 674. The injection port 680 is in fluidcommunication with a passageway 686 of the rotating body 672.

Referring again to FIG. 47, during use of the fitting 670, the threadedshaft 678 is secured to the bolter arm and the rotating body 676 issecured to the mine roof bolt via the threaded portion 682. The rotatingbody 676 rotates separately from the stationary grout body 672 to drilla borehole into rock strata using the mine roof bolt. The resin andcatalyst is injected into the borehole via the injection port 680through the rotating member 676, through the mine roof bolt, and intothe borehole.

Referring to FIGS. 45-47, the injection fittings 640, 670 may beutilized to rotate the mine roof bolt to mix the resin and catalystafter injection into the borehole. If no static mixer is utilized duringinjection, minimal mixing of resin and catalyst occurs inside theinjection fittings 640, 670 and inside the mine roof bolt. The resin andcatalyst generally starts to mix 2-3 feet within the mine roof bolt andas the resin and catalyst exits the mine roof bolt. As theresin/catalyst are generally unmixed inside the injection fittings 640,670 and the entry point of the mine roof bolt, the need to rushinjection to prevent the resin/catalyst from hardening inside theinjection fitting is eliminated. Further, as set times are not a concernwith such a configuration, a faster setting resin/catalyst combinationmay be utilized, which can reduce installation times. Such aconfiguration also allows the injection fittings 640, 670 to remain onthe mine roof bolt during curing. Once fully cured or hardened, theinjection fittings may be removed with any unreacted material inside thefittings removed via a water flush.

While various aspects of the system were provided in the foregoingdescription, those skilled in the art may make modifications andalterations to these aspects or aspects without departing from the scopeand spirit of the invention. For example, it is to be understood thatthis disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or morefeatures of any aspect or aspect can be combined with one or morefeatures of any other aspect or aspect. Accordingly, the foregoingdescription is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Theinvention described hereinabove is defined by the specification, and allchanges to the invention that fall within the meaning and the range ofequivalency of the specification are to be embraced within its scope.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A pumpable resin system for installation ofmine bolts comprising: a resin injection cylinder comprising a resinchamber and a resin hydraulic cylinder; a catalyst injection cylindercomprising a catalyst chamber and a catalyst hydraulic cylinder, theresin hydraulic cylinder synchronized with the catalyst hydrauliccylinder; a hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the resinhydraulic cylinder and the catalyst hydraulic cylinder; a hydraulicreservoir in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump; and a deliveryline in fluid communication with the resin injection cylinder and thecatalyst injection cylinder, the delivery line configured to deliverresin and catalyst from the resin injection cylinder and catalystinjection cylinder into a borehole.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe resin hydraulic cylinder and the catalyst hydraulic cylindercomprise double-acting cylinders, the resin hydraulic cylinder fluidlyconnected to the catalyst hydraulic cylinder in series such thatmovement of the resin hydraulic cylinder results in correspondingmovement of the catalyst hydraulic cylinder.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the resin hydraulic cylinder and the catalyst hydraulic cylinderare identical in size.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the resinchamber has a larger volume than the catalyst chamber.
 5. The system ofclaim 2, further comprising a synchronizing cylinder in fluidcommunication with the resin hydraulic cylinder and the catalysthydraulic cylinder.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the resinhydraulic cylinder, the synchronizing cylinder, and the catalysthydraulic cylinder each include first and second chambers positioned onopposite sides of a piston, the first chamber of the resin hydrauliccylinder in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump, the secondchamber of the resin hydraulic cylinder in fluid communication with thesecond chamber of the synchronizing cylinder, the first chamber of thesynchronizing cylinder in fluid communication with the first chamber ofthe catalyst hydraulic cylinder, and the second chamber of the catalysthydraulic cylinder in fluid communication with the hydraulic reservoir.7. The system of claim 6, wherein the resin hydraulic cylinder, thesynchronizing cylinder, and the catalyst hydraulic cylinder areidentical in size.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the resin chamberhas a larger volume than the catalyst chamber.
 9. The system of claim 6,wherein the resin hydraulic cylinder, the synchronizing cylinder, andthe catalyst hydraulic cylinder are each configured to be actuatedindependently.
 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a resinload cylinder in fluid communication with the resin injection cylinder;and a catalyst load cylinder in fluid communication with the catalystinjection cylinder.
 11. A computer-implemented method for controlling apumpable resin system comprising resin and catalyst injection cylinders,a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic reservoir, a control panel, and a controlmodule, the method comprising: receiving an injection input from thecontrol panel; determining with at least one processor resin andcatalyst volumes within the resin and catalyst injection cylinders;determining with at least one processor whether sufficient volumes ofresin and catalyst are available for executing the injection input;generating a signal for the hydraulic pump to actuate the resin andcatalyst cylinders; and determining with at least one processor whethera resin and catalyst value corresponding to the injection input has beenobtained.
 12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein theresin and catalyst value comprises a resin and catalyst injectionvolume.
 13. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein theresin and catalyst value comprises a resin and catalyst injectionpressure.
 14. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, furthercomprising: displaying a load cylinder notification on the control panelif insufficient volume of resin or catalyst is available.
 15. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the injection inputcomprises an automatic injection input and a manual injection input, theautomatic injection input comprising a preprogrammed resin and catalystvalues, the manual injection input comprising user-inputted resin andcatalyst values.
 16. The computer-implemented method of claim 15,wherein the preprogrammed resin and catalyst values are at least one ofresin and catalyst volumes and resin and catalyst injection pressures.17. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, further comprising:actuating isolating valves to isolate the resin injection cylinder orthe catalyst injection cylinder when the injection input comprises themanual injection input.
 18. The computer-implemented method of claim 11,further comprising: pre-pressurizing the resin injection cylinder andthe catalyst injection cylinder.
 19. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 18, wherein pre-pressurizing the resin injection cylinder and thecatalyst injection cylinder comprises: determining with at least oneprocessor a pressure within the resin and catalyst injection cylinders;separately increasing pressure within the resin and catalyst injectioncylinders until a predetermined pressure value within the resin andcatalyst injection cylinder is reached.
 20. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 11, wherein the pumpable resin system for installationof mine bolts further comprises a synchronizing cylinder, the methodfurther comprising: determining with at least one processor a positionof a piston of the synchronizing cylinder; moving the piston of thesynchronizing cylinder independently from the resin injection cylinderand the catalyst injection cylinder.
 21. The computer-implemented methodof claim 11, further comprising: determining with at least one processora volumetric ratio of resin and catalyst leaving the resin injectioncylinder and the catalyst injection cylinder based on a position of theresin and catalyst injection cylinders; and displaying the volumetricratio of resin and catalyst on the control panel.
 22. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 21, further comprising: displayingor providing an audible alarm when the volumetric ratio of resin andcatalyst is below a predetermined ratio value.
 23. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 22, wherein the predetermined ratiovalue is a 2:1 resin to catalyst ratio.
 24. A system for controlling apumpable resin system comprising resin and catalyst injection cylinders,a hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic reservoir, the system comprising: (a)control panel comprising a display and a user input device; (b) acontrol module comprising at least one processor programmed orconfigured to: (i) receive an injection input from the control panel;(ii) determine resin and catalyst volumes within respective resin andcatalyst injection cylinders; (iii) determine whether sufficient volumesof resin and catalyst are available for executing the injection input;(iv) generate a signal for the hydraulic pump to actuate the resin andcatalyst cylinder; and (v) determine whether a resin and catalyst valuecorresponding to the injection input has been obtained.
 25. The systemof claim 24, wherein the resin and catalyst value comprises at least oneof a resin and catalyst injection volume and a resin and catalystinjection pressure.
 26. The system of claim 24, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further programmed or configured to: (vi) provide anautomatic injection profile and a manual injection profile, theautomatic injection profile comprising preprogrammed resin and catalystvolumes, the manual injection profile comprising user-inputted resin andcatalyst volumes.
 27. The system of claim 24, wherein the pumpable resinsystem further comprises a synchronizing cylinder, the system furthercomprising: (c) a resin cylinder encoder, a catalyst cylinder encoder,and a synchronizing cylinder encoder each configured to provide anoutput corresponding to a position of a piston of the resin and catalystinjection cylinders and synchronizing cylinder, respectively.
 28. Thesystem of claim 24, wherein the pumpable resin system further includes asynchronizing cylinder, and wherein the at least one processor isfurther programmed or configured to: (vi) independently control thesynchronizing cylinder.
 29. A computer program product for controlling apumpable resin system comprising a control module, the computer programproduct comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable mediumincluding program instructions that, when executed by the controlmodule, cause the control module to: receive an injection input from acontrol panel; determine resin and catalyst volumes within respectiveresin and catalyst injection cylinders; determine whether sufficientvolumes of resin and catalyst are available for executing the injectioninput; generate a signal for the hydraulic pump to actuate the resin andcatalyst cylinder; and determine whether a resin and catalyst valuecorresponding to the injection input has been obtained.